Tyrone Mears’ goal sends Sounders past D.C., 1-0

SEATTLE – The Seattle Sounders played half the game without the only goalkeeper they’ve used since the start of the 2014 season. D.C. United played more than half of the match with 10 men.

For 87 minutes it appeared neither team would be able to take advantage of the other’s misfortune. However, with about two minutes left in regulation, right back Tyrone Mears ran into space and fired a rocket into the back of the far netting from about 16 yards.

The defender’s first MLS goal since arriving from England this season gave Seattle a 1-0 win before a crowd of 40,410 Friday at CenturyLink Field.

Seattle (10-7-2) snapped a three-game losing streak and moved back into a tie with Vancouver atop the Western Conference standings.

The first half of that clean sheet was kept by Stefan Frei, who had played every regular-season minute for the Sounders since joining the club in 2014. That streak ended at 4,725 consecutive minutes when Frei left the field with a shoulder injury suffered in a collision.

His departure brought on the regular-season debut of Sounders reserve keeper, veteran Troy Perkins, who faced five shots and made one save.